Chapter 3
Lucy
When I heard things got quiet in the living room I went to the kitchen in search of anything to eat or drink, I will buy back whatever I take but I won’t be able to sleep if my stomach is making such a noise during the night. I found a yoghurt that has probable expired but I didn’t give a shit it was something I could eat. When I was done with that, I drank a few glasses of water just to fill my stomach and went to bed. I didn’t sleep to much because I was still hungry hopefully my boss will give me my pay early and I can get myself something to eat. Not that I really have much left for food. I got up earlier than normal and got ready for work, to say I was hopeful I was going to get my pay early was an understatement. I walked to work like always it was chilly outside you could feel it was becoming winter in Chicago; I pulled my thin jacket tighter around my body trying to keep warm. When I got to the bodega my hands were freezing off. I rubbed them together and held them at the food warmer. “Lucy what are you doing?” My boss said from behind me. “I’m getting cold.” “Well, that is not a place to warm your hands.” I ignored him and rather ask “Is my pay ready?” “No, this afternoon.” “But I need it now.” I complained. “It’s this afternoon or tomorrow your choice.” “Fine this afternoon is fine.” I went to the back to put my bag in the locker and came back to the front.
It was a quiet morning not many customers just the usual that got their coffee and bagel before work. Early afternoon, one of the other men walked into the bodega, “Hi Lucy.” He said he was the friendliest one of all of them, I actually liked him . “Hi.” I didn’t know his name yet. He walked to the sweet aisle and got a chocolate, I’m sure these guys are chocoholics because it’s all they buy. He came walking to me and as he stood right in front of me my stomach made a huge noise. He raised his brows for me asking “When last did you eat?” This time he didn’t look as friendly as other times or even when he walked in. “None of your business.” “Lucy, you better answer me when last have you eaten something?” “Last night.” I said rolling my eyes. I thought he would leave me alone when I said last night. “What?” There was no way you would not answer him not after the way he spoke to me “A yoghurt.” “Is that all?” “Yes.” “And before that?” I didn’t know so I shook my head. “You don’t know when last you’ve eaten?” “I don’t.” “Why?” “Again, it has nothing to do with you. I don’t even know your name.” “It’s Enzo now answer me.” I looked at him trying to be as defiant as I possible could be. But he just look back at me waiting for an answer. My boss came walking towards us. “Is there a problem?” Enzo looked at him but it was like he was looking at shit at the bottom of his shoes. “No, I’m talking to Lucy here.” “Well, if it is private I would prefer you don’t talk to her here.” “Well then.” He walked behind the counter grabbed me under my arm and pulled me out of the bodega. “You can’t just do that I need the work.” “Why haven’t you eaten?” I just didn’t have it in me to fight anymore I was getting cold and he was persisting, clearly, he wasn’t going to leave me alone not until I’ve answered him. “I don’t have money okay. Now please can I go back and work I’m getting paid today then the problem is sorted.” He pulled his jacket off and put it around my shoulders, “Wait here.” “I can’t I need to go in there, and I can’t have your jacket, you’ll get cold.” “I’m more worried about you, now do as you told and stay right here.” For some reason I didn’t move I stayed right on my spot. Enzo, I think that’s what he said disappeared into the bodega and came out a few minutes later with money in his hand. “Here’s your money if that is what you can call this.” He said a bit disgusted. “Thanks.” I said shyly to him. I tried to take the coat off to give it back. “Oh no Lucy I’m not done with you yet, you are coming with me.” “I can’t I don’t know you.” “Like I said I’m Enzo and you have a choice you can get in my SUV voluntarily or I can pick you up and put you in the SUV your choice.” I decided I would rather go voluntarily than him picking me up like a child. “Fine I’ll come with but you will bring me back?” I asked him. “We’ll see.” He said. I didn’t like the answer not one bit but I was already in his fancy SUV and we were already moving or else I would have jumped out.
I was sitting at the one side looking out the window listening to his conversation he was having on the phone. As soon as we pulled away from the bodega, he called Nico I’m sure it’s the one I had the connection with yesterday. “She hasn’t eaten in days; can your cook make her something?” Then he was listening and answered “She came willingly.” “Not really” I chipped in. He just gave me the evil eye. “We’ll be there in the next 20 minutes.” Quite again and then he said “Yes call the others.” Now I was giving him the evil eye “What do you mean call the others?” “You’ll see.” Was all he said.